Which Species of Log is Best? (2024)

FAQs

What type of log for shiitake? ›

Use hardwood logs like Alder, Ash, Birch, Bitternut, Cherry, Chestnut, Hophornbeam, Ironwood, Maple, Oak, Pecan, Sweet gum, Sycamore, Tulip Poplar, Walnut, Willow and others. They do not grow on conifers. Shiitake sawdust spawn.

One of the most popular types of mushrooms to grow is the button mushroom. These are the most commonly consumed mushrooms in the world and are relatively easy to cultivate. They grow best in a temperature range of 55-60°F and require a substrate made of composted manure, straw, and gypsum.

Oyster mushroom logs are the perfect addition to any garden. The main requirement is a fully shaded area, or an area that receives only dappled sunlight.

By harvesting trees in a safe and ecologically supportive manner, we can use the logs of certain hardwoods to cultivate shiitake. We farm a strain that is more content with our softer hardwood, silver maple.

Oaks and hard maples are the preferred wood-types for most mushroom species because they're very dense and offer plenty of nutrition for a longer, sustained fruiting period. Poplars and other soft hardwoods will colonize faster and produce mushrooms sooner but generally don't yield as much or produce for as many years.

The Sugimoto Family has 3 generations of experience offering premium forest grown shiitake, grown fresh using 100% natural practices and no pesticides or artificial chemicals. Their innovative drying process improves the quality and taste.

Alba White Truffles

While French Black Truffles are one of the most expensive mushrooms, Alba White Truffles can go for a shocking four times the amount of Black Truffles. These mushrooms are grown in the Alba township in Italy and currently sell in a retail market in the United States for $4,000 per pound.

Step 2, Water: Thoroughly water your log once a week during periods of no rainfall. Continue this routine for 3-4 months, then you may reduce watering to every other week. After 6 months, place your log directly on the ground so that it can wick moisture from the soil.

You can optionally seal the ends of the log as well. Then, the logs should live outdoors someplace shady, incubating until they're ready to fruit. The wonderful thing about mushroom logs is that you will get multiple years worth of gourmet mushrooms without having to re-inoculate your logs.

Some growers also wax the ends of their logs to lock in moisture, but that can also lock it out.

Why not to plant a silver maple? ›

Silver maple does not have the ability to resist and compartmentalize decay as well as some other species and a damaged tree is open to more serious breakage from weakened branches and stems. In addition, silver maple has a habit of forming a root system that is more surface oriented than most other trees.

In actuality, the stems of shiitake mushrooms are technically edible and are not poisonous. Still, most people choose not to use the stems because they have an unpleasant woodsy flavor and are too fibrous and chewy to eat.

Shiitake mushrooms are grown on hardwood logs, usually 4 to 6 inches in diameter, and 3 to 4 feet long. Many hardwood tree species can be used but oaks are considered best, if available. Cherry and ash should be avoided, as should all conifers.

But shiitakes will grow on almost any hardwood: oak, chestnut, beech, alder, gum, or sugar maple. Poplar will work, but it decays quickly.

Ideal for: Oyster mushrooms, Lion's Mane, Chestnut mushrooms, Pioppino mushrooms, Shiitake, Reishi, and other mushrooms found on hardwood trees in the wild. We at JCB Gourmet Mushrooms chose hardwood pellets as our main substrate because they are clean and a natural fit for the fungi we grow.

Step 2, Water: Thoroughly water your log once a week during periods of no rainfall. Continue this routine for 3-4 months, then you may reduce watering to every other week. After 6 months, place your log directly on the ground so that it can wick moisture from the soil.